While the overall drought conditions in the contiguous United States have not changed much in the last four weeks, the weekly Drought Monitor shows the dry conditions are intensifying in the High Plains.

95% of Nebraska is now in extreme drought, 84% of Kansas is in extreme drought while South Dakota has nearly 57% in extreme drought. To the south, 75% of Oklahoma is in extreme drought.

Overall, the High Plains have 84% in severe drought, 57% extreme drought and 27% exceptional drought. In the Midwest: 30% severe drought, 11% extreme and 0.28% in exceptional drought.

Nationally, the continental United States has 59% in moderate drought, 38% severe drought, 19% extreme and 6% in exceptional drought.